Method and system for controlling the operation of movable wireless networks

ABSTRACT

The invention can provide a movable wireless network that is capable of operating in a multiple network environment. The movable wireless network has a coverage area and includes a detector that detects a network event when the coverage area of the movable wireless network overlaps with a coverage area of another wireless network. The invention can further include a controller that changes an operational state of the movable wireless network when the detector detects the network event so that the movable wireless network is able to operate within the coverage area of the other wireless network.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This nonprovisional application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/549,920, filed Mar. 5, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to a method and system for controlling theoperation of movable wireless networks for operation in multiple networkenvironments.

2. Description of Related Art

Currently, non-stationary or movable wireless network systems exist thatare based within movable objects, such as ships, trains, aircraft,buses, and the like. Accordingly, as the movable object moves, so does acoverage area of the movable wireless network.

As a result of their changeable position, movable wireless networks cancome into contact with stationary or other movable wireless networks.For example, the coverage area of the movable wireless network mayoverlap with the coverage area of a stationary network. When such anevent happens, the respective wireless networks can undesirablyinterfere with each other, and thus result in interrupted service totheir respective wireless network users. For example, the movablewireless network of a cruise ship may come into contact with aland-based stationary wireless network when the ship pulls into a port,or simply comes within close proximity to land. Since resources, such astransmitter power and frequency are subject to local and internationalrules, laws and agreements, the use of the movable wireless network canbe restricted. Accordingly, when this event occurs, the movable wirelessnetwork can be shutdown to avoid potential interference between themovable and stationary wireless networks, as well as violation of anylocal rules or regulations, and the movable wireless network usersaboard the ship would then switch from the movable wireless network tocommunicate through the land-based stationary wireless network.

One technique of avoiding interference between a movable wirelessnetwork and stationary wireless network is described in PCT publicationWO 01/15338. The WO 01/15338 publication teaches that an operator of amovable wireless station will generally not have a license to operatewithin the territory covered by a fixed base station, and may only bepermitted to operate in international waters. Accordingly, the systemtaught in WO 01/15338 includes a movable base station that is capable ofdetecting whether the movable base station is within the range of afixed base station, such as a land-based stationary wireless network. Inorder to avoid interference with the fixed base station, when themovable wireless base station detects that it is within a particularrange of a fixed base station, the movable wireless base station is shutdown or the power of the movable wireless base station is reduced. Thishas the effect of avoiding interference between the wireless networks byhaving the movable wireless network defer to the fixed network wheneverthe movable wireless network determines that it is within a particularrange of the fixed base station.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention can provide a movable wireless network having a detectorthat senses a network event caused by a proximity of the movablewireless network to another wireless network. The invention can alsoinclude a controller that changes an operational state of the movablewireless network based on the network event so that the movable wirelessnetwork is able to operate with the other wireless network.

The invention can also provide a movable wireless network having acoverage area that includes a detector that detects a network event whenthe coverage area of the movable wireless network overlaps with acoverage area of another wireless network. The invention can furtherinclude a controller that changes an operational state of the movablewireless network when the detector detects the network event so that themovable wireless network is able to operate within the coverage area theother wireless network.

A mobile network controller can continuously monitor a movable wirelessnetwork to determine whether a network event requires the movablewireless network to change an operational state. A network event caninclude situations where the movable wireless network moves intoproximity with another network (movable or stationary) or when themovable wireless network interferes with another network (movable orstationary). A network event can be detected by a sensor, such as aposition sensor, that can determine the position of the movable networkrelative to known stationary wireless networks. Further, a network eventcan be detected by a sensor that monitors the relevant frequencyspectrum and measures frequency use and signal strength within themovable network or area surrounding the movable network to determinepossible interference or overlap between the movable wireless networkand another wireless network (movable or stationary).

Upon detection of a network event, the controller can change theoperational state of a movable wireless network, such as changing anoutput power level (including shutting down) and transmissionfrequencies to minimize or avoid interfering with the stationarywireless network. Additionally, other operational states that the mobilenetwork controller can change include codes of the system, such asmobile network codes (MNC) and mobile country codes (MCC) to correspondto a particular area of operation, a legal entity's license, or acountry's jurisdiction.

These and other features and advantages of various exemplary embodimentsof systems and methods according to this invention are described in, orare apparent from, the following detailed description of variousexemplary embodiments of the systems and methods according to thisinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various exemplary embodiments of this invention will be described indetail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like numeralsrepresent like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram of a communications system;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram of a movable wireless networkcontroller;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary data structure of a movable wireless networkmemory;

FIG. 4A is an exemplary embodiment of a stationary wireless networkseparate from a movable wireless network;

FIG. 4B is an exemplary embodiment of a stationary wireless networkmerging with a movable wireless network;

FIG. 4C is an exemplary embodiment of a movable wireless network mergedwith a stationary wireless network; and

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an exemplary process according to thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram of a communication system 100 forcontrolling the operation of a movable wireless network 110. As shown,the system 100 can include a movable wireless network 110, a mobilenetwork controller 112, wireless communication devices 120 of themovable wireless network 110, a stationary wireless network 130, andwireless communication devices 140 of the stationary wireless network130. Additionally, FIG. 1 shows that the movable wireless network 110can be in communication with the stationary wireless network 130 via acommunication link 150.

The movable and stationary wireless networks 110 and 130, respectively,may each be a single network or a plurality of networks of the same ordifferent types. For example, the stationary wireless network 130 may bea cell or cells of a cellular network. Any combination of networks,whether a global, national, regional, wide-area, or local area, may beused without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. For the purposes of discussion, it will be assumed that boththe movable wireless network 110 and stationary wireless network 130 aresingle cells within a wireless cellular network.

The wireless communication devices 120 and 140 can be devices of anytype that allow for the transmission and/or reception of communicationsignals. For example, the communication devices 120 and 140 can becellular telephones, wireless computers, wireless personal digitalassistants (PDAs), wireless video phones, and the like. For the purposesof the following description of the present invention, it will beassumed that wireless communication devices 120 and 140 are cellulartelephones.

While the mobile network controller 112 is shown as an independent unitcoupled to the movable wireless network 110, it can also be incorporatedinto, or may be distributed throughout the network 110. For example, themobile network controller 112 may be made part of the various networkcomponents (not shown) employed by the network 110 which are distributedthroughout the network 110. Any configuration that permits control ofthe movable wireless network 110 can be used without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention.

As shown, the movable wireless network 110 and stationary wirelessnetwork 130 can be in communication with each other, either directly orindirectly, via communication link 150. The communication link 150 maybe of any type of connection that allows for transmission ofinformation. Some examples include cellular telephone connections,satellite communication, radio frequency (RF), microwave, and the like.Additionally, the communication link 150 may be wired, such as copperwire, co-axial cable, optional fiber, or some combination of wired andwireless.

The mobile network controller 112 can continuously monitor the movablewireless network 110 to determine whether a network event requires themovable wireless network 110 to change an operational state. A networkevent can include situations where the movable wireless network 110moves into proximity with another network (movable or stationary) orwhen the movable wireless network 110 interferes with another network(movable or stationary). A network event can be detected by a sensor,such as a position sensor, that can determine the position of themovable network 130 relative to known stationary wireless networks.Further, a network event can be detected by a sensor that monitors therelevant frequency spectrum and measures frequency use and signalstrength within the movable network or area surrounding the movablenetwork to determine possible interference or overlap between themovable wireless network and another wireless network (movable orstationary).

Upon detection of a network event, the network controller 112 can changethe operational state of a movable wireless network 110, such aschanging an output power level (including shutting down) andtransmission frequencies to minimize or avoid interfering with thestationary wireless network 130. Additionally, other operational statesthat the mobile network controller 112 can change include codes of thesystem, such as mobile network codes (MNC) and mobile country codes(MCC) to correspond to a particular area of operation, a legal entity'slicense, or a country's jurisdiction.

As one example of operation, upon detection of a network event, themobile network controller 112 can communicate with the stationarywireless network 130 to determine whether it is compatible with themovable wireless network 110. Such a communication can occur viacommunication link 150. For example, two or more networks can becompatible with each other if they are owned and/or operated by the samecompany, legal entity, or a company with reciprocating rights of use. Insuch a case, the mobile network controller 112 can coordinate theoperation of the movable wireless network 110 so that the stationarywireless network 130 and the movable wireless network 110 are mergedtogether to effectively operate as a single wireless network. In such amerged or combined network formation, the movable wireless network 110will be configured to seamlessly operate with the stationary wirelessnetwork 130. Under such coordinated operation, the movable wirelessnetwork 110 would not interfere with the stationary wireless network130, even though the coverage of the movable wireless network 110 couldwell overlap with the coverage of the stationary wireless network 130.

In such a situation the movable wireless network 110 can extend thecoverage of the stationary wireless network 130, or the movable wirelessnetwork 110 can be completely within the coverage area of the stationarywireless network 130. In either situation, the users of the wirelesscommunication devices 120 of the movable wireless network 110 wouldenjoy uninterrupted service from either the stationary wireless network130 or the movable wireless network 110.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram of a mobile network controller 112.The mobile network controller 112 can include a controller 210, a memory220, a sensor 230, a position sensor 240, and a network interface 250.The above components are coupled together via a control/data bus 260.The above architecture of the components is exemplary only. Otherarchitectures of the components may be used without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention.

The memory 220 can be any device that is capable of storing data and/orinstructions for operating the controller 210, movable wireless network110, and/or any components thereof. For example, the memory 220 may bemagnetic, optical, electrical read only memory (ROM) or random accessmemory (RAM). Additionally, the data stored in the memory can be used bythe controller 210 to compare measured data, such as data measured bythe sensor 230 or position sensor 240, with that data stored in thenetwork to determine whether a network event has occurred, or how tochange an operational state of the movable wireless network 110.

Sensor 230 can be any device that is capable of detecting the presenceof another wireless network. For example, the sensor 230 may be anantenna, or an array of antenna that can detect wireless communicationsin the relevant RF spectrum. Additionally, the sensor can sense thefrequency, power, and phase of signals from a wireless network oranother movable wireless network.

The position sensor 240 can be any device that is capable of determininga position of the movable wireless network 110. The position sensor 240may be an independent unit as shown, or may be incorporated with thesensor 230. For example, the position sensor 240 can be a globalpositioning system (GPS), LORAN, gyroscope, compass, navigationalsystem, and the like, which detect an actual position of the movableobject, and thereby a position of the movable network. The locationdetermining device 240 can also measure or detect the altitude,direction, velocity, or change in the velocity in the movable wirelessnetwork 110.

While the movable wireless network 110 is operating, the controller 210can continually monitor the operating environment in which the movablewireless network is being operated. As described above, the controller210 monitors to determine whether a network event has occurred. Thecontroller 210 can monitor the movable wireless network 110, as well asthe environment in which the movable wireless network 110 is operating,to detect a network event via the sensor 230 and/or the position sensor240. Once a network event is detected, the controller 210 can change anoperational state of the wireless mobile network 110 via the networkinterface 250. Additionally, the controller 210 can compare informationgathered by the sensor 230 and/or position sensor 240 in order tocompare it with data in the memory 220 to determine how the operationalstate of the network should be changed.

The wireless network interface 250 can be any device that permits thecontroller 210 to communicate with and control the movable wirelessnetwork 110. For example, via the wireless network interface 250, thecontroller 210 can control one or more operational states of the movablewireless network 110. The operational states can include an amount ofpower, the antennas that are used, an antenna direction that is used, aphase, frequency, frequency plan, mobile network codes (MNC) and mobilecountry codes (MCC).

The network event can indicate that the movable wireless network 110 isabout to cross, is crossing, or has crossed into operating area of astationary wireless network 130 and/or another movable wireless network.As described above, in response to the network event, the operationalstate of the movable wireless network 110 can be modified to merge themovable wireless network 110 with the stationary wireless network 130 insuch a way that the movable wireless network 110 does not interfere withthe stationary wireless network 130 or other movable wireless networks.This can be accomplished by altering an operational state of the movablewireless network 110, such as the power level, frequencies, phase,antenna, antenna direction, mobile network codes (MNC), and mobilecountry codes (MCC). For example, if a network event indicated that themovable wireless network 110 was coming into contact with the stationarynetwork 130, then the controller 210 could determine whether thestationary network 130 was a commonly owned-operated network either bycommunication with the stationary network 130 via communication link150, review of network data stored in the memory 220, or communicationwith a remote control center via satellite or other technique. If it wasdetermined that the stationary network 130 and movable wireless network110 were commonly owned, then the movable wireless network 110 could setits operational states so as to be the same as the stationary network130. For example, the controller 210 could set the movable network codes(MNC) and movable country codes (MCC) of the mobile wireless network 110to read the same as the stationary network 130. Accordingly, users ofwireless devices in either network would not experience any interruptionand could seamlessly switch between mobile wireless network 110 andstationary wireless network 130. Accordingly, the movable wirelessnetwork 110 and stationary wireless network 130 can be merged togetherto form a single seamless wireless network.

Alternatively, if the network event indicates that the movable object isabout to cross, is crossing, or has crossed out of the operating area ofthe stationary wireless network 130 and/or another movable wirelessnetwork, the changes in the operational state of the movable wirelessnetwork 110 can be designed to withdraw the movable wireless network 110from the stationary wireless network 130 and/or other moveable wirelessnetworks. In other words, when a network event occurs that indicates tothe controller 210 that the movable wireless network 110 is no longer incontact with a stationary network 130, then the operational state of themovable wireless network 110 can return to an optimal state ofoperation. For example, if a cruise ship were leaving port and enteringback into international waters, the limitation, local or otherwise, onthe wireless network operation would no longer exist. Accordingly, themobile wireless network 110 would be free to operate in a lessrestricted operating state, and an optimal selection of power, antenna,antenna direction, phase, frequency, mobile network codes (MNC) andmobile country codes (MCC) could be selected.

A network event can be triggered by one or more of the following:location of the movable object or wireless network; velocity of themovable object; change in velocity of the movable object; direction ofthe moveable object; altitude of the moveable object; location of themoveable object; detected frequency of transmitted signals from thestationary wireless network; detected power of transmitted signals fromthe stationary wireless network; detected phase of transmitted signalsfrom the stationary network; known frequency of transmitted signals fromthe stationary wireless network; known phase of transmitted signals fromthe stationary wireless network; known frequency portfolio oftransmitted signals from the stationary wireless network; known power ofsignals from the stationary wireless network; and known frequency planof transmitted signals from the stationary wireless network.Additionally, the same network events can be trigged by another movablewireless network.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary data structure for storing data correspondingto location related network events of the movable wireless network 110.The data structure 300 can include a field 310 for location codes and afield 320 for stationary network ID codes. Fields 330-360 areoperational states corresponding to the network identified in field 320.Field 330 is the mobile network code (MNC), field 340 is the mobilecountry code (MCC), both of which correspond to the stationary networkthat is identified in field 320. Additionally, field 350 is a pluralityof frequencies corresponding to the station area network ID in field 320and field 360 is the power corresponding to the network identified infield 320.

Field 310 contains the physical location of the stationary networkidentified in field 320. The location of the field identified in 310 canbe defined as the area covered by the stationary network. For example,in field 310, the first entry, “Region 1” can correspond to the coveragearea of stationary network “A”. Likewise, the location “Region 2”identified in the second row of field 310 can correspond to the coveragearea of stationary network “B”, identified in row 2 of field 320. Thesecoverage areas can be RF coverage areas and/or legally defined coverageareas.

Accordingly, in operation, if the mobile controller 210 determines thata position of the movable wireless network 110 corresponds to a regionstored in location field 310, then based on the exemplary datastructures 300, the controller 210 will be able to determine thestationary network 130 with which the movable wireless network 110 isoverlapping. For example, if a cruise ship were pulling into a port, andthat port had a stationary network identified as stationary network “C”in column 3 of field 320, then as the mobile controller 210 monitoredthe position of the movable wireless network 110, for example, viaposition sensor 240, the controller 210 would determine that theposition of the movable wireless network 110 was located within “Region3”, and therefore that the movable wireless network 110 would beoverlapping with stationary network “C”.

As described above, fields 330-360 describe the operational states ofthe corresponding stationary networks identified in field 320.Accordingly, in the above example, based on the knowledge that themovable wireless network 110 was operating in “Region 3”, the controller210 would be able to determine the operational states corresponding tostationary network C. For example, the mobile network code (MNC) ofstationary network C is “030”. The mobile country code (MCC) of thestationary network C is “300”. The frequencies used by stationarynetwork C are identified as “Band C.” The power utilized by stationarynetwork C is identified as “Z” in field 360. Accordingly, the movablewireless network 110 under the control of the mobile controller 210could change the operational state of the movable wireless network 110in order to co-exist with the stationary network C within the sameoperating environment.

FIG. 4A shows an example where a moveable wireless network 110 isapproaching a stationary network 130 at a velocity V. While the networksare separated from each other, the movable wireless networks 110 couldbe free to operate at whatever frequency, power levels, mobile networkcode (MNC) and mobile country code (MCC), that the network wishes tobest service its wireless device users. The stationary wireless network130 would operate at its prescribed operational state in accordance withany licenses it was granted to operate, as well as any regional, orlocal wireless network communicating regulations.

However, as shown in FIG. 4B as the moveable wireless network continuesto approach the stationary network 130, the coverage from the moveablewireless network begins to overlap with that of the stationary network130. As described above, this triggers a network event, whereby themoveable wireless network 110 can change the operational state of themoveable wireless network in order to avoid interfering with thestationary network 130. As also described above, the network event canbe sensed by the sensor 230 when it detects the existence of anotherwireless network, such as communications in the relevant spectrum.Additionally, the network event can be determined by the controller 210,memory 220 and position sensor 240 when the location of the movablewireless network 110 corresponds to a known coverage area of astationary wireless network 130. Further, as described above, themoveable wireless network 110 can adjust its power, antennas, phase,frequency, mobile network codes and mobile country codes in order toavoid interfering with the stationary network 130.

As shown in FIG. 4C, once the mobile wireless network 110 has changedits operational state, the mobile wireless network 110 can then becomepart of the stationary wireless network 130, whereby users of either themovable wireless network 110 or stationary wireless network 130 canseamlessly pass between networks with uninterrupted service. Asdescribed above, the movable wireless network 110 and stationarywireless network 130 can be merged together by, for example, changingthe codes, such as mobile country codes and mobile network codes, to bethe same as those of the stationary wireless network.

In order for the movable wireless network 110 to communicate with thestationary wireless network 130, the movable wireless network 110 mustbe able to change its operational state including but not limited to thetransmission frequency, frequency plan, phase, mobile network codes,mobile country codes, type of antenna, antenna direction, power, overallsystem power, and power of portions of the system to meet the specificrules (based on local law, international law, treaty, bilateral ormultilateral agreements) governing how, how much and where the movablewireless networks 110 can be used. Accordingly, the exemplaryembodiments of this invention are required to change the operationalstate (conditions) of the movable wireless network 110 when necessary tocomply with the rules respective to a particular scenario that themovable wireless network 110 may encounter in its normal course of use.

For example, this system can be used to change codes respective to aparticular area of operation, a legal entity's license or a country'sjurisdiction such as mobile network code (MNC) and mobile country code(MCC). The specific rules governing where, and what and how much powerand/or frequency the movable wireless network can use can be stored inmemory 220 or hardwired into the movable wireless communication network20. By accessing the memory 220, for example, the movable wirelessnetwork can compare detected or measured data with predetermined datastored in memory 220 to detect an event, which would cause thecontroller 200 to change the operational state of the movable wirelessnetwork 20 to merge with the stationary wireless network 30 or withdrawfrom the stationary wireless network 30. By operating in this manner,multiple networks either stationary or movable may continue to operateand coordinate their operational state such that interference can bealleviated or eliminated.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an exemplary process of controlling amobile wireless network. The process begins in step 500 where controlpasses to step 510.

In step 510, the environment of the movable wireless network ismonitored to determine whether a network event has occurred. If anetwork event has occurred, the process proceeds to step 530; otherwise,if a network event has not occurred then the process proceeds to step520.

In step 520, the operational state of the movable wireless network ismaintained. Additionally, adjustments to the operational state of thewireless network may be made to maintain a best level of service forwireless communication devices using the mobile wireless network. In anyevent, the process returns to step 510, where the network environment iscontinually monitored for the existence of a network event.

In step 530, a network event has been detected, and the operationalstate of the movable wireless network is adjusted. The operational stateof the movable wireless network can be changed so that the movablewireless network can become part of a stationary network. Accordingly,the movable wireless network will not interfere with the operation of astationary wireless network.

Control then proceeds to step 540 where it is determined whether thenetwork event still exists. If yes, then the process continues to loopback to 540 until the network event ends. If the network event no longerexists, then the process proceeds to step 550 where the process ends.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with theexemplary embodiments outlined above, various alternatives,modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents,whether known or that are or may be presently unforeseen, may becomeapparent upon reviewing the foregoing disclosure. Accordingly, theexemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intendedto be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A movable wireless network comprising one or more wirelesscommunication devices, the movable wireless network further comprising:a detector that senses a network event caused by a proximity of themovable wireless network comprising one or more wireless communicationdevices to another wireless network; a position sensor for determining aposition of the movable wireless network; a memory for storing otherwireless network position data including a coverage area of each of aplurality of other wireless networks and related network data; and acontroller that changes an operational state of the movable wirelessnetwork based on the network event so that the movable wireless networkoperates with the other wireless network according to network datastored in the memory, the changed operational state corresponding to oneof a mobile country code or of a mobile network code and its associatedmobile country code.
 2. The movable wireless network as recited in claim1, wherein the detector detects the network event by sensing at leasttwo of a power, phase, frequency, interference, frequency plan,frequency portfolio, mobile network code and mobile country code of theother wireless network.
 3. The movable wireless network as recited inclaim 1, wherein the controller changes the operational state of themovable wireless network by changing at least two of a power, antennaselection, antenna direction, phase, frequency, frequency plan, mobilenetwork code, and mobile country code of the movable wireless network toavoid interfering with the other wireless network.
 4. The movablewireless network as recited in claim 1, wherein the position sensor isat least one of a global positioning system (GPS), LORAN, compass,gyroscope, and altimeter.
 5. The movable wireless network as recited inclaim 1, wherein the controller changes the operational state of themovable wireless network when the network event occurs based on networkdata stored in the memory, said network data stored in the memorycomprising position data representing coverage areas and physicallocation for each of a plurality of stationary wireless networks.
 6. Themovable wireless network as recited in claim 5, wherein the network datastored in the memory further includes operational mode information ofother networks currently being operated, and the controller changes theoperational state of the movable wireless network so that the movablewireless network operates in conjunction with another network that hastriggered the network event.
 7. The movable wireless network as recitedin claim 6, wherein the operational mode information of other networkscurrently being operated includes at least one of an owner, operator,mobile network code and mobile country code of the other network.
 8. Themovable wireless network as recited in claim 1, wherein the controllerchanges the operational state of the movable wireless network when anetwork event occurs based on operational mode information of anotherwireless network received from the other wireless network said detectordetecting communication in relevant spectrum of the other wirelessnetwork and the change in operational state including a change of one ofa mobile country code or a mobile network code and its associated mobilecountry code to be the same as that of the other wireless network. 9.The movable wireless network as recited in claim 1, wherein the movablewireless network is located on a ship, car, truck, bus, aircraft, orother movable object, the movable network approaching the other wirelessnetwork at a non-zone velocity and the detector detecting the networkevent by detecting communication in a relevant spectrum of the approachwireless network.
 10. The movable wireless network as recited in claim1, wherein the wireless communication devices include wireless personaldigital assistants, cellular telephones, wireless computers, andwireless video phones.
 11. The movable wireless network as recited inclaim 10, wherein the other wireless network is a stationary wirelessnetwork comprising one or more wireless communication devices.
 12. Themovable wireless network as recited in claim 10, wherein the otherwireless network is a movable wireless network comprising one or morewireless communication devices.
 13. A movable wireless networkcomprising one or more wireless communication devices having a coveragearea, the moveable wireless network further comprising: a detector thatdetects a network event when the coverage area of the movable wirelessnetwork comprising one or more wireless communication devices overlapswith a coverage area of another wireless network; a position sensor fordetermining a position of the movable wireless network: a memory forstoring position data including a coverage area of each of a pluralityof other wireless networks and related network data; and a controllerthat changes an operational state of the movable wireless network whenthe detector detects the network event so that the movable wirelessnetwork operates within the coverage area of the other wireless networkaccording to network data stored in the memory, the changed operationalstate corresponding to one of a mobile country code or of a mobilenetwork code and its associated mobile country code.
 14. The movablewireless network as recited in claim 13, wherein the detector detectsthe network event by sensing at least one of a power, phase, frequency,interference, frequency plan, frequency portfolio, mobile network codeand mobile country code of the other wireless network.
 15. The movablewireless network as recited in claim 13, wherein the controller changesthe operational state of the movable wireless network by changing atleast two of a power, antenna selection, antenna direction, phase,frequency, frequency plan, mobile network code, and mobile country codeof the movable wireless network.
 16. The movable wireless network asrecited in claim 13, wherein the position sensor is at least one of aglobal positioning system (GPS), a LORAN, compass, gyroscope, andaltimeter.
 17. The movable wireless network as recited in claim 13,wherein the controller changes the operational state of the movablewireless network when the network event occurs based on network datastored in the memory, where the network when network data stored in thememories includes physical location, coverage area and operational stateinformation of other wire networks currently being operated, and thecontroller changes the operational state of the network wireless networkto conform to the stored operational state information of a determinedother wireless network so that the movable wireless network operates inconjunction with the other wireless network that has triggered thenetwork event.
 18. The movable wireless network as recited in claim 13,wherein the controller changes the operational state of the movablewireless network to conform to that of an identified other wirelessnetwork when a network event occurs based on operational modeinformation of the other wireless network received from the otherwireless network.
 19. The movable wireless network as recited in claim13, wherein the movable wireless network is located on a ship, car,truck, bus, aircraft, or other movable object, the movable networkapproaching the wireless network at a non-zero velocity and the detectordetecting the network event by detecting communications in relevantspectrum of the approached wireless network.
 20. The movable wirelessnetwork as recited in claim 13, wherein the wireless communicationdevices include wireless personal digital assistants, cellulartelephones, wireless computers, and wireless video phones.
 21. Themovable wireless network as recited in claim 20, wherein the otherwireless network is a stationary wireless network comprising one or morewireless communication devices.
 22. The movable wireless network asrecited in claim 20, wherein the other wireless network is a movablewireless network comprising one or more wireless communication devices.23. The movable wireless network as recited in claim 13, furthercomprises a network interface coupled to the controller, the networkinterface for permitting the controller to communicate with and tocontrol operational states of the movable wireless network to conformwith operational states of the other wireless network.
 24. A method ofoperating of a movable wireless network comprising one or more wirelesscommunication devices, the movable wireless network further comprising:sensing a network event caused by a proximity of the movable wirelessnetwork comprising one or more wireless communication devices to anotherwireless network; sensing a position of the movable wireless network;storing position data including a coverage area of each of a pluralityof other wireless networks and related network data in a memory of themovable wireless network and changing an operational state of themovable wireless network based on the network event so that a wirelesscommunication device of the movable wireless network operates with awireless communication device of the other wireless network according tothe related network data, the changed operational state corresponding toone of a mobile country code or of a mobile network code and itsassociated mobile country code.
 25. A method for withdrawing a movablewireless network comprising one or more wireless communication devicesfrom a stationary wireless network, comprising: detecting a networkevent; sensing, a position of the movable wireless network comprisingone or more wireless communication devices; storing position dataincluding a coverage area of each of a plurality of other stationarywireless networks and related network data in a memory of the movablewireless network and withdrawing the movable wireless network from thestationary wireless network upon detection of the network event ofoverlapping networks by changing an operational state of the movablewireless network such that said movable and said stationary wirelessnetwork continue to operate.
 26. A method for merging a movable wirelessnetwork comprising one or more wireless communication devices and asecond wireless network and for withdrawing the movable wireless networkfrom the second wireless network, comprising: detecting a first networkevent; sensing a position of the movable wireless network comprising oneor more wireless communication devices; storing position data for thesecond wireless network and related network data in a memory of themovable wireless network, said position data corresponding to a physicallocation and a coverage area of said second wireless network; countrycode to conform the movable wireless network to the second wirelessnetwork; detecting a second network event; and withdrawing the movablewireless network from the second wireless network upon detection of thesecond network event, the movable wireless network continuing to operateseparately from the second wireless network.
 27. A method for merging amovable wireless network comprising one or more wireless communicationdevices with a plurality of wireless networks and for withdrawing themovable wireless network from the plurality of wireless networks,comprising: detecting a first network event; sensing a position of themovable wireless network comprising one or more wireless communicationdevices; storing including physical location and coverage area for eachof the plurality of wireless networks and related network data in amemory of the movable wireless network; merging the movable wirelessnetwork with the plurality of wireless networks upon detection of thefirst network event according to the related network data by changing anoperational state including one of a mobile country code or a mobilenetwork code and its associated mobile country code to conform themovable wireless network to the second wireless network; detecting asecond network event; and withdrawing the movable wireless network fromthe plurality of wireless networks upon detection of the second networkevent.
 28. The moveable wireless network as recited in claim 1 whereinthe other wireless network is a stationary wireless network comprisingone or more wireless communication devices, the controller changing anoperational state of the movable wireless network based on the networkevent so that a wireless communication device of the movable wirelessnetwork is able to communicate with a wireless communication device ofthe stationary wireless network.
 29. A movable wireless network,comprising: a detector that senses a network event caused by a proximityof the movable wireless network to another wireless network; a positionsensor for determining a position of the movable wireless network; amemory for storing other wireless network position data and relatednetwork data including operational state information of a plurality ofother wireless networks currently being operate, said other wirelessnetwork position data comprising coverage area and physical position,said operational state information comprising frequencies and power ofeach said other wireless network; and a controller that changes anoperational state of the movable wireless network based on the networkevent and when the network event occurs so that the movable wirelessnetwork operates with the other wireless network according to thenetwork data stored in the memory, the operational state changing basedon the network data stored in the memory, the operational stateinformation further including at least one of an owner, operator, mobilenetwork code and mobile country code of the other wireless network sothat the movable wireless network operates in conjunction with the otherwireless network that has triggered the network event.
 30. A movablenetwork as recited in claim 29, the detector for detecting the existenceof the other wireless network by detecting communications in a relevantspectrum, the memory for farther storing rules associated with saidother wireless network for transmit power and frequency within saidnetwork, the controller for comparing data associated with said detectedcommunications in the relevant spectrum with predetermined data storedin memory to determine the occurrence of a network event of overlappingnetworks, for determining the other wireless network and for changingthe operational state of the movable wireless network to merge with theother wireless network such that interference between said overlappingnetworks is alleviated.
 31. A movable network as recited in claim 29,the detector for detecting the present position of the movable network,the memory for storing data representing a known coverage area of theother wireless network of a plurality of such other networks besidessaid movable network, the controller for determining a correspondencebetween said detected position of the movable network with predetermineddata stored in memory of the known coverage area of the other wirelessnetwork, for determining the occurrence of a network event ofoverlapping networks, for determining the other wireless network withwhich the movable network is overlapping and for changing theoperational state of the movable wireless network to merge with theother wireless network such that interference between said overlappingnetworks is alleviated.
 32. A movable network as recited in claim 30,the controller for changing codes of the movable network including amobile country code and a mobile network code to conform to the mobilecountry code and the mobile network code of the other wireless network.33. A movable network as recited in claim 31, the controller forchanging codes of the movable network including a mobile country codeand a mobile network code to conform to the mobile country code and themobile network code of the other wireless network.
 34. A movable networkas recited in claim 29, the detector for detecting the existence of theother wireless network by detecting communications in a relevantspectrum, the memory for further storing rules associated with saidother wireless network for transmit power and frequency within saidother wireless network, the controller for comparing data associatedwith said detected communications in the relevant spectrum withpredetermined data stored in memory to determine the occurrence of anetwork event of overlapping networks and changing the operational stateof the movable wireless network to withdraw from the other wirelessnetwork such that interference between said overlapping networks isalleviated and each of the movable wireless network and the otherwireless network continue to operate.
 35. A movable network as recitedin claim 30 approaching another wireless network at a non-zero velocity,the controller for detecting the network event of overlapping networkswhen the detector detects communications in the relevant spectrum of theother wireless network.